Boston College's (Massachusetts) vice president of information technology remarks on the elements contributing to his success on the occasion of receiving a professional award. He credits talented and energetic employees and an improved administrative structure for making innovation work. An interview about personnel changes at Boston College is…

Hofstra University (New York) contracted with a vendor to provide a student information kiosk system on a campus computer network that would improve and enhance delivery of student services. Installed in under two months, the system has quickly addressed some persistent challenges, including easy access to information and security. (MSE)

The process used to engineer and manage major organizational change at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is described. Issues include defining change, gaining support, organizing to facilitate change, staff development, establishing project strategies, and measuring success. The role of the institution's information…

Discusses the theoretical basis for a teacher development project designed to generate innovative strategies for teacher development using information technology. The article describes strategies by modes and models, recommending a model based on teacher needs. The article examines outcomes of the project based on its relationship to the…

Describes the Canadian Database Promotion Initiative (CDPI), which was created to develop projects that link telecommunications with information technologies for a variety of business and educational organizations. Topics discussed include computer-mediated communications; networks for businesses, research organizations, and universities; and the…

Five articles discuss information technology in libraries: (1) "Software for Libraries" (Katharine Phenix); (2) "Online Update: European Online Services" (Martin Kesselman); (3) "Connect Time: Online Pricing Breakthroughs" (Barbara Quint); (4) "Microcomputing: Micro Biology Computer Viruses" (James LaRue);…

The trend toward decentralization of academic computing is described. Causes for the trend are examined and the best approaches to management and support of computing activities in this environment are explored. The future roles of the central computing center, departments or discipline areas, and individual users are outlined. (Author/MSE)

At Southern Methodist University (Dallas, Texas), the emphasis in computing and information services has been shifted from dividing resources between administrative and academic computing to combined central support for microcomputing. A universitywide computer planning and policy committee and a college computer coordinator acting as liaison…

Presents an interview with the current chairman of IBM, Lou Gerstner, regarding the future of ACIS, IBM's Academic Information Systems division, and new strategies for the company. Highlights include IBM's commitment to higher education; personal computers and strategic planning; and future possibilities for information technology. (LRW)

Describes the Remote Area Teacher Education Programme (RATEP) implemented in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities in Far North Queensland (Australia) to demonstrate the potential of interactive multimedia in the delivery of on-site teacher education programs in remote areas. Interactive learning systems, information technology, and pedagogy in…

Investigates the work of mentoring as situated within electronic exchanges. Explores strategies used by mentors to communicate their readings and suggested revisions of student texts. Analyzes the mentor responses according to patterns formed and other factors. (HB)

Addresses misconceptions concerning CD-ROM technology. Topics discussed include changes in CD-ROMs and possible obsolescence; high-speed wide area networks, frequency of updates, and pricing; CD-ROM databases in academic libraries; local area networks; interfaces between CD-ROM drives and computers; CD-ROM speed; uses of CD-ROM; and write-once CD…

Discusses what Office Information Systems and other Information Technology organizations, in concert with the business organizations they support, must do to exploit the opportunities and support the transition to the next generation enterprise: its business processes, its organizations and architectures, and its strategies. (Author/JOW)

Discussion of CD (compact disc) recorders describes recording applications, including storing large graphic files, creating audio CDs, and storing material downloaded from the Internet; backing up files; lifespan; CD recording formats; continuous recording; recording software; recorder media; vulnerability of CDs; basic computer requirements; and…

Documents the growth of Internet use by university students in Japan. Focuses on the use of the Internet as part of the biochemistry curriculum in Japanese medical schools. (DDR)